The 18 Artist Archetypes.

It's like a personality quiz for creatives ;)

I’m a personality quiz girly.

I like using different lenses to understand myself. I like knowing myself as an Aquarius, contemplating my life through the portal of being an enneagram four. And whilst I can’t remember my Myers Briggs, I remember I vibed with it. I do not like anyone to put me in a box, but I will allow an internet quiz to do exactly that.

It makes sense, therefore, that I was attracted to the concept of Archetypes. Archetypes are hard to explain but are a sort of universal, recurring theme / character. We see them in our books, our lives, our history, our myths. They are the building blocks for storytelling. I began thinking, what if there are artist archetypes, and could this be a useful way to understand ourselves as creatives?

So long story short, I went and fucking did the thing. I want you to read this list of archetypes, and look for yourself in the characters. What can you learn about yourself through this lens? How does it affirm the artist you are today? How does it challenge you?

The 18 Artist Archetypes.

A word before you dive in. These Archetypes are fluid, nuanced and expansive. You do not belong to just one type, nor are you fixed to one archetype. Each archetype has it’s downfalls and it’s strengths, a dark side and a light side. Please be gentle with yourself as you see your reflection in these characters. They are here to support us through our journey. They are hear to awaken us to our strengths, and also our weaknesses. They are here to remind us of the important fucking job we are here to do.

1. The Child - The playful, easily distracted, joyful creator. When the child archetype makes art it is messy and free and exciting. However, The Child creative finds it hard to finish long term projects. The interest is fleeting, every new idea seems better than the last. The Child creative is invited to see projects through to the end, whilst maintaining their child like wonder and capacity for play.

2. The Victim - This artist is overcome by the very real difficulties they face. These creatives build an identity around hardships. The Victim may be overcome with stories about the starving artist, to the point of feeling proud about struggling. They may feel used by gatekeepers, and big business to the point where they don’t want to continue making art. Whatever the hardship is, it becomes a centerpoint in their story. This archetype is in on a journey to learn how to alchemise their mistreatment into personal power. How will you reclaim your agency on this journey? How will you fight against these wrongs?

3. The Saboteur - This creative has immense capability for impact and connection, but is deeply afraid of their own potential. The Saboteur often finds themselves with incredible opportunities to create and connect, only to find them imploding and falling through at the last minute. The Saboteur is invited to understand that they deserve creative success. The Saboteur needs to find ways to make creative success feel safe.

4. The Hero - The hero wants attention for their art. They are the main character, after all. These artists are often misunderstood as fame seekers, or egotistical, but they simply want to be SEEN as a creative. They fight for space on the stage, because they have something to share and they want to connect. The hero is invited to acknowledge that it is okay to want attention; it is human and holy. The hero is also invited to keep a personal art practice, to remember that they can create just for themselves every now and again.

5. The Warrior - The Warrior artist FIGHTS for their art. The determination this creative feels is so potent it can exhaust them. This creative tries. They push. They make things happen. They are valiant, and on the path. The Warrior is often at risk of burnout and going too hard. The Warrior artist is invited to trust the universe, and allow other people to fight for their art. It doesn’t always need to be done by brute force, let some ease into the journey.

6. The Caregiver - This artists focuses on being the champion of everyone else’s art. Some Caregivers may compensate for not fully committing to their art by fully committing to other people’s creatives journey. The Caregiver’s journey is about taking that same energy and giving it to yourself. It is about understanding that you are avoiding your calling, and letting yourself fade into the background of your own life.

7. The Seeker - This artist uses the arts as a portal for self discovery. The seeker has a deeply personal and intimate relationship with creativity. The Seeker can often be very protective over their own creations, for good reason. The seeker is invited to go on a journey of understanding that, while their creations serve them and should be kept sacred, they can also serve others. It is safe to share yourself with the world.

8. The Lover - The lover is on a journey of collaboration. Their instinct is to co-create, and use the intimate act of collaboration to make something meaningful. The lover is on a quest to make powerful creative communities, and is also invited to remember the power you have as a standalone artist. You do not always need others to make art. You are enough, by yourself.

9. The Torchbearer - The torchbearer leads the way. They are at the front, trying bizarre new things, failing first, trying new paths. Whether they are experimenting with new art techniques, talking about undiscussed topics, or finding new ways to be seen and witnessed, they are visionaries and incredibly brave. The Torchbearer is invited to find support in whatever way they can. It can be lonely out the front, and you deserve community as you trail-blaze. They are also invited to let others take the lead from time to time. It is not shameful to follow someone else’s example.

10. The Ruler - Like the lover, the Ruler is a creative collaborator, and they thrive as the leader in creative spaces. They make space for other artists to thrive, and have an immaculate and clear vision. The Ruler is often someone who has the last say. They are invited to remember to listen to others’ ideas, to welcome feedback, to soften into the knowledge that, while you know a lot, you don’t know everything.

11. The Sage - The sage uses art in the pursuit of knowledge. The Sage could also be called the Academic. They are meticulous researchers, and thrive at preparing for the art but sometimes struggle to begin. They are invited to use that research and preparation to actually make the thing :) Respectfully. The creative process itself will give you a huge amount knowledge and information, dive in.

12. The Mentor - This creative is here to pass on their creative lessons, whether through teaching, or sharing. They have an incredibly important role in taking care of the next generation of artists. They are invited to make sure that they focus on their own craft, as much as their students’. You teach first by example. In fact, you are not qualified to mentor, unless you are taking your own work seriously.

13. The Explorer - The multidisciplinary artist. The explorer works across many fields. They have a huge capacity for creativity. They are invited to lean into their many callings. Don’t niche down. Let yourself take up space. You contain multitudes. They are also invited to commit. Having many interests, doesn’t mean you commit to nothing.

14. The Jester - The Jester is here to bring lightness, silliness and laughter to a world in pain. They are on a holy mission, often misunderstood as being ‘unserious’. The jester’s invitation is to remember that although your work may be light hearted, that you’re calling is serious and you are making profound change. Don’t play down your calling because it delights people. Silliness and fun are just as valuable as “serious art”.

15. The magician - The magician sees the magic in the creative process. They wield a mystical power when they create. They have a spiritual connection to their creative process, and often have divine experiences in their art practice. The Magician is invited to make sure that the mundane is still allowed into their creative practice, not every moment of creation must be perfectly sacred. Art can be stop and start, it can be messy, it can be human.

16. The Everyman - The everyman doesn’t consciously know they’re an artist. They say things like “Oh wow I could never!” “I can’t draw!” “I can’t even spell!” They are invited to recognise that they actually could! And not only that, they should. They must. They need to.

17. The outlaw - The outlaw uses the arts to rebel against every rule that has made them small. Art is a method in which they free themselves and others of chains. A powerful artist, who is here to make change in the world with art. They are invited to fuck shit up, but simultaneously make space for softness in the creativity. Not every piece of art needs to be a rebellion. Sometimes, one needs to doodle a flower, because one wants to.

18. The Master - this artist has a desire for excellence like no other. They want to excel, they have a thirst for improvement and a huge capacity for work. They want to obtain Mastery. This creative is invited to be wary of perfectionism. The way to mastery is not perfection, it is mess.

I have so much more to say on each Archetype, and I feel more and more brewing as I type. Please let me know if this resonates and I will indulge all the thoughts going around my head. At the moment I am sitting with The Hero archetype and The Warrior archetype, and choose to invite a softness and ease into my journey today.

Before I sign off; my creative community, the Inspired Collective is currently open for enrolment. It closes in a matter of days. It would be an honour to coach you, mentor you, love you on this journey you are on.

A